Military Called In To Assist With Fires

The Canadian military is being brought in to assist with wildfire emergency efforts in BC.

Eric Stubbs, assistant commissioner of the BC RCMP, says the Canadian forces members will work in a non enforcement capacity.

“These military personnel will work under the guidance of RCMP at designated static locations to monitor checkpoints. If needed, they will also assist in land evacuations. This is in addition to air resources that have already been greatly assisting our efforts,” says Stubbs.

Stubbs says the additional resources will allow the RCMP the flexibility to assist with the re-entry to previously evacuated areas, providing security to evacuated areas, and maintaining core duties.

The military was asked to help out by the BC government.

Rear Admiral Art McDonald of the Canadian Armed Forces says the military members won’t be doing law enforcement and won’t be armed.

“However, the support should free up RCMP personnel for core policing functions and law enforcement duties.”

McDonald says some CF members will have weapons to protect personnel from predatory animals, when they are not able to deter the animals with other means, and will not cause them harm.

He says with today’s announcement, 375 military personnel will be responding to the wildfire emergency in BC.